On behalf of our family’s belated celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary (a day after June 8) and my wife’s 50th (nearly six months late), may I express our heartfelt gratitude to Msgr. Manolo delos Santos, Rev. Fr. Randy de Quiros, and Rev. Fr. Eric Rojas for their roles in the renewal of vows at the Cave chapel at Fiat Village.
The bishop and Fr. Randy spent precious time together with the guests at the simple reception at ARDCI Function Hall and stayed until the last minute.
The same appreciation goes to our ninongs and ninangs: Dr. Bailon and Aurora Manlagnit, former Councilor Hermin Zafe, retired PPDO Engr. Luis Surtida Sr., Missionary Families of Christ chapter servant Atty. Gregorio Sarmiento Jr., Concepcion Ang-Co, CatSU Regent Dr. Aida Dianela, retired EBMC chief nurse Francisca del Rosario, and CatSU dentist Dr. Genevieve de Castro. The other ninong, CatSU President Patrick Azanza, was not able to make it due to a commitment in Metro Manila but he nevertheless sent his greetings that day.
Kudos also to Ardy Traqueña and his team for the arrangements and decorations, Leonid Sarmiento and his aides for the excellent make-up of the bride, Floyd Flores for the vivid photos and Parallel Minds for the video coverage.
Without you all, the occasion would not have been so memorable, something that we wish other couples would find time to celebrate at the halfway mark of their journey as soul mates.
*****
Catanduanes has welcomed its inclusion as one of the pilot areas for the propagation of Golden Rice, or genetically modified rice containing beta carotene.
According to DA-PhilRice, a cup of Golden Rice is equivalent to 12 cups of kangkong and can provide 30 to 50% of the estimated average requirement of Vitamin A for preschoolers, and pregnant and lactating mothers.
A 2019 study by DOST-FNRI experts showed that rice and rice products constitute 35.2% of the mean one-day household food intake of Filipinos, with vegetables (15.5%) and fish (11.2%) the other food groups comprising majority of the food intake.
Following international tests on its safety, Golden Rice has been issued a commercial propagation permit by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
The permit limits commercial propagation within agricultural lands and advises the permit holder to immediately take measures to protect human health and environment in the event new information indicates that the GM rice could pose a greater risk to biodiversity, human and animal health.
Planting protocols are also strict, with all equipment to be used cleaned and inspected before and after harvesting or threshing to ensure that they are free of any plant materials before entering the production field and to prevent the unintended movement or release of the Golden Rice seeds.
Workers are advised to collect loose rice panicles around the field, with orders not to allow the entry of unauthorized persons who may collect the panicles in the field after harvesting.
The workers are also told to wear prescribed PPEs to prevent seeds from clinging to clothing and avoid unintentional release.
In other provinces, the plan to propagate Golden Rice has drawn opposition from progressive farmers groups, some of whom have “invaded” production areas to protest the GR program.
Perhaps, aside from the malnutrition still prevalent in the island, Catanduanes was chosen as pilot area due to the absence of established opposition to GMOs.
The program, however, has a contingency plan for any “emergency”, creating an Urgent Situation Team and teaming up with LGUs for a public relations blitz.
*****
THE SHOPPER. Visiting a shopping mall, a couple agreed to go their separate ways and rendezvous in an hour. So while he visited the sports shop, she hit the major clothes store. When he met up with her as arranged outside the clothes store, she was carrying a dozen bags full of items.
“Have you bought all that?” he asked incredulously.
“Well, yes,” she said. The waving towards the interior of the shop, she added: “But look at all the stuff I’m leaving behind.”